TV Azteca--one of the largest producers of Spanish language TV programming and owner of TV stations throughout Mexico--signed an agreement to purchase DTV transmitters and HDTV encoding equipment from Harris . The initial order includes six Harris DiamondCD DHD8P1 transmitters operating at 1.8 kW. TV Azteca can increase power later by adding additional amplifiers and power supplies. The first pass of TV Azteca's rollout allows for HDTV transmission to begin in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey by Q3 '05. Phase two will expand coverage to Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Juarez, Mexicali and Tijuana through the first half of 2006.

"This is another example of how TV Azteca sets technology standards to benefit viewers throughout Latin America. This announcement also implies that our first stations will be on the air at least 15 months ahead of the digital upgrade commitments confirmed with Mexican authorities," said Mario San Roman, CEO of TV Azteca.

The FAA’s current rules and proposed ban on flight over people, requirement of visual line of sight and restriction on nighttime flying, effectively prohibit broadcasters from using UAS for newsgathering. ~ WMUR-TV General Manager Jeff Bartlett